The Meghalaya High Court expressed its dissatisfaction with the State government's efforts to curb the illegal mining of coal and its transportation to illegal coke plants. In a recent hearing of a public interest litigation (PIL), a full bench of the High Court consisting of Chief Justice Sanjib Banerjee and Justices HS Thangkhiew and W Diengdoh criticized the State for seeking an adjournment and failing to take adequate action against illegal operations.
The PIL raised concerns about the functioning of several coke oven plants without proper licenses or permissions in the West Khasi Hills District. In response, the Court has expanded the scope of inquiry of a one-person committee led by retired Gauhati High Court judge BP Katakey. The committee will now investigate the involvement of conniving officials who enable illegal mining and transportation of coal, as well as the operation of illegal coke plants. The Court emphasized the need to examine acts of omission and commission by individuals within the administration, including police officials and possibly the officer-in-charge of Shallang.
The next hearing in the matter is scheduled for July 3. Advocate MAI Hussain represented the petitioner, while Additional Advocate General K Khan, along with Additional Senior Government Advocate S Sengupta and Government Advocate R Colney, represented the State government.
It is worth noting that the High Court has been addressing the issue of illegal coal mining in the State through a separate suo motu case. Last year, the Court stressed the importance of a thorough investigation without any political agenda. In March 2022, the Court observed that such illegal activities were being carried out with the involvement of local administration. In February of this year, the Court ordered the deployment of Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF) to monitor and halt these unlawful practices.
Coal mining in Meghalaya is gradually being restored in a limited capacity in phases. This follows the Supreme Court's 2019 decision to set aside a 2014 order by the National Green Tribunal that had imposed a blanket ban on coal mining in the State.
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TAGS: Meghalaya High Court State government illegal mining coal coke plants adjournment full bench Chief Justice Sanjib Banerjee Justice HS Thangkhiew Justice W Diengdoh public interest litigation (PIL) West Khasi Hills District license permission one-person committee retired Gauhati High Court judge BP Katakey conniving officials administration police officials officer-in-charge of Shallang July 3 Advocate MAI Hussain Additional Advocate General K Khan Additional Senior Government Advocate S Sengupta Government Advocate R Colney suo motu case Supreme Court National Green Tribunal blanket ban limited capacity phases.
